Concrete placing machine



C. JACKSON CONCRETE rLAcING MACHINE Filed May 5, 1941 A o NEYs Patented Dec. 22, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONCRETE PLACING MACHINE Corwill Jackson, Ludngton, Mich.

Application May 5, 1941, Serial No. 391,923

Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in concrete placing machines.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a machine or apparatus for the placement of concrete slabs such as pavements which is of large capacity, and at the same time one which is very eicient.

Second, to provide a machine of the reciprocating screed type having associated therewith a vibratory member or members which are highly effective in the treatment of concrete mixtures of very low water content and including aggregate such as crushed stone.

Third, to provide a machine or apparatus of this character which is provided with a vibratory member having vibratory surfaces disposed in angular relation to each other whereby vibratory impulses are imparted to the material treated in a plurality of directions.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of the invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is deiined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front perspective view of a paving machine embodying my invention,-

the carriage being partially broken away and certain details omitted for the sake of clarity in illustration.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through the screed and one of the vibratory members associated therewith on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevation.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal section'on a line corresponding to line 4-4 of Fig. 3 showing details of the vibratory member, the angular relation of the vibratory surfaces being indicated by arrows.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal section of a modified form or embodiment of the vibratory member.

The invention of this application is an adaptation of and in some respects an improvement upon the invention of my copending application `filed concurrently herewith.

In the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing l, I represent the side forms for the concrete to be placed, these side forms constituting rails or tracks for the paving machine carriage 2 which is provided with flanged wheels 3. The machine is power driven, the driving means not being illustrated. The rockishaft 4 is provided with arms 5 connected t0 the screed by the flexible connections 6, the actuation of the rockshaft raising and lowering the screed l. Means for actuating the rockshaft are not illustrated, v

The screed 'l is adapted to move along on the forms and is reciprocated transversely of the 4 path of forward travel by means of the pitman 8 connected to a suitable crank means. The means for driving the crank are not illustrated.

In my Patent No. 2,219,246 issued October 22, 1940, I disclose a vibrating reciprocated screed in which the vibrating means is mounted on the screed. Paving machines embodying this structure have been successfully used but there is a demand for increased speed in the placement of concrete which requires heavier screeds and the vibration of these heavy screeds at high frequency sometimes distorts or displaces the forms, thereby affecting the grade or position of the laid slab. Also, the severe vibration may cause crystallization of the bolts and other parts and require frequent repairs to the screed. My present invention remedies these objections and enables the effective placement of very dry concrete mixtures at high speed and without the very undesirable results, noted as does the invention of my above mentioned copending application. However, the present invention has certain advantages over that of my copending application.

As illustrated in Fig. 2 the screed comprises a bottom or shoe 9 and a front plate l0. The front plate has a forwardly projecting inclined strike olf yblade I l, the lower edge of which is in a plane above the plane of the shoe or bottom of the screed. The screed is provided with wings l2 which project forwardly to retain and guide the material treated to the vibratory mem-v bers and also serve as Scrapers or clearing means for the forms.

The vibratory members i3 are plate-like and of substantial length horizontally, and also of substantial width vertically, being disposed in front of and in spaced relation to the front of the screed. These vibratory members are provided with vertically iiuted or corrugated face portions I4 having rearwardly curved lower edges I5, the flutings extending into this rearwardly curved portion. This fluted portion is of substantial vertical width and is adapted to support a substantial mass of material treated as the vibratory member is advanced. The utes are of substantial dimensions and provide a plurality of vibrating surfaces disposed angularly relative to each other.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4 these surfaces are curved. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5 the utes or corrugations l5 are flat. The flutes or corrugations are of substantial dimensions providing, in effect, a plurality of material receiving pockets or recesses in the face of the vibratory member.

The vibratory members are supported to permit high frequency vibration thereof preferably in an orbital path by means of the blade springs I6 which are mounted on the screed, the springs having looped bends, the lower arms I1 of which are bolted to the screed at i8. The free ends of the springs are bent downwardly into arms I9 which are fixedly secured to the upper portion of the vibratory members. Pairs of thrust members are arranged on the screed at the sides of the springs to receive or sustain the reciprocating load thrust. As the screed is advanced the vibratory members are advanced with it against the concrete which is indicated at 2l.

It is desirable to vibrate the screed shoe to some extent and this I accomplish my vibrations transmitted through the resilient thrust members 22 which engage the screed above its strikeoff blade. This imparts transmitted vibrations suiiicient to desirably vibrate the shoe of the screed for finishing, although it should be under- .stood that sometimes the machines are provided with a second finishing screed. However, with this arrangement I am able to secure a very desirable surface.

Each vibratory member is provided with a vibratory means which in this embodiment consists of an electric motor indicated generally by the numeral 23, the rotor 24 of the motor having an unbalancing weight 25, see Fig. 2. This vibrating unit is rigidly mounted to a bracket 26 and the motor is provided with suitable electric connections indicated at 21. It will be noted that the axis of the vibrating rotor is disposed in parallel relation to the vibrating member., the result being that the vibrated member, particularly the lower part thereof, is vibrated at high frequency in an orbital path, and these vibrations are delivered through the angularly disposed vibrating surfaces of the vibrating member in a plurality of directions. Inasmuch as the vibratory member is reciprocated with the screed the material is very effectively vibrated. Sometimes there is a tendency for aggregate of the crushed rock type to become wedged together in an interlocking mass. The flutings or corrugations of the vibratory member break up or dislocate such collections of aggregate so that the aggregate is uniformly distributed and it is not necessary to halt the machine to break up such interlocked or bound together collections of aggregate. The rearward curving of the fluted portion also serves to effectively pass the aggregate and other materials of the concrete mixture rearwardly to the strike-off blade and to the screed.

The vibratory members are vibratedat high frequency and with the desired amplitude while there is transmitted to the screed a modified or lessened vibration which serves for eiective surfacing. The vibratory members are vibrated with the desired frequency` and amplitude to provide effective placement of harsh mixtures of very low water content. The flutes or corrugations also substantially increase the vibrating surface of the vibratory member.

vI have illustrated and described my improvements in an embodiment which I consider highly desirable. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other modifications which I contemplate as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a screed adapted for forward advancement and reciprocating movement transversely of the path of forward travel, the screed comprising a bottom and a front member provided at the bottom thereof with a forwardly projecting inclined strike-off blade, the lower edge of which is disposed in a plane adjacent to but above the plane of the bottom of the screed, plate-like vibratory members disposed in end to end relation in front of and in spaced relation to the front member of said screed, said vibratory members having vertically fluted portions adapted to support a substantial mass of material treated as the vibratory members are advanced, said iuted portions having rearwardly curved bottom edges, said iiutes being of substantial dimensions and providing a plurality of vibrating surfaces disposed angularly relative to each other, supporting means for said vibratory members mounted on said screed, means for vibrating said vibratory members mounted on the vibratory members, and resilient thrust members disposed between and engaged by said screed and said vibratory members.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a screed adapted for forward advancement and reciprocating movement transversely of the path of forward travel, plate-like vibratory members disposed in end to end relation in front of and in spaced relation to said screed, said vibratory members having vertically fluted portions adapted to support a substantial mass of material treated as the vibratory members are advanced, said flutes being l-of substantial dimensions providing a plurality of vibrating surfaces disposed angularly relative to each other, supporting means for said vibratory members mounted on said screed, means for vibrating said vibratory members mounted von the vibratory members, and resilient thrust members disposed between and engaged by said screed and said vibratory members.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a screed adapted for forward advancement and reciprocating movement transversely of the path of forward travel, 4the screed comprising a bottom and a front member provided at the bottom thereof with a forwardly projecting inclined strike-off blade, the lower yedge of which is disposed in a plane adjacent to but above the plane of the bottom of the screed, a plate-like vibratory member disposed in front of and in spaced relation to the front member of said screed, said vibratory member having a. vertically uted or corrugated portion adapted to support a substantial mass of material treated as the vibratory member is advanced, said flutes being of substantial dimensions and providing a plurality of vibrating surfaces disposed angularly relative to each other, blade :supporting springs for said vibratory member carried vby said screed, means for vibrating said vibratory member at high frequency, and a resilient thrust member disposed between said screed and said vibratory member whereby the vibratory member `is advanced and reciprocated `as the screed member having a vertically fluted or corrugated portion adapted to support a substantial mass of material treated as the vibratory member is advanced, said flutes being of subtsantial dimensions and providing a plurality of vibrating surfaces disposed angularly relative to each other, blade supporting springs for said vibratory member carried by said screed, means for vibrating said vibratory member at high frequency, and a resilient thrust member disposed between said screed and said vibratory member whereby the vibratory member is advanced and reciprocated as the screed is advanced and reciprocated and said screed is also vibrated.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a screed adapted for forward advancement and reciprocating movement transversely of the path of forward travel, a plate-like vibratory member disposed in front of and in spaced relation to the screed, said vibratory member having a vertically fluted or corrugated portion adapted to support a substantial mass of material treated as the vibratory member is advanced, said iluted or corrugated portion having a rearwardly curved bottom edge, said flutes being of substantial dimensions and providing a plurality of vibrating surfaces disposed angularly relative to each other, blade supporting springs for said vibratory member carried by said screed, means for vibrating said vibratory member at high frequency, and a resilient thrust member disposed between said screed and said vibratory member whereby the vibratory member is advanced and reciprocated as the screed is advanced and reciprocated and said screed is also vibrated.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a screed adapted for forward advancement and reciprocating movement transversely of the path of forward travel, the screed comprising a bottom and a front member provided at the bottom thereof with a forwardly projecting inclined strike-off blade, the lower edge of which is disposed in a plane adjacent to but above the plane of the bottom of the screed, a vibratory member disposed in front of and in spaced relation to the screed and adapted to support a substantial mass of material treated as the vibratory vmember is advanced, said vibratory member having vertical flutes or corrugations of substantial dimensions and providing a plurality of vibrating surfaces disposed angularly relative to each other, blade supporting springs for said vibratory member carried by said screed, means for vibrating said vibratory member at high frequency, and resilient thrust members disposed between said screed and said vibratory member whereby the vibratory member is advanced and reciprocated as the screed is advanced and reciprocated and said screed is also vibrated.

7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a screed adapted for forward advancement and reciprocating movement transversely of the path of forward travel, a vibratory member disposed in front of and in spaced relation to the screed and adapted to support a substantial mass of material treated as the vibratory member is advanced, said vibratory member having vertical utes or corrugations of substantial dimensions and providing a plurality of vibrating surfaces disposed angularly relative to each other, blade supporting springs for said vibratory member carried by said screed, means for vibrating said vibratory member at high frequency, and resilient thrust members disposed between said screed and said vibratory member whereby the vibratory member is advanced and reciprocated as the screed is advanced and recprocated and said screed is also vibrated.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a screed comprising a bottom and a front member provided at the bottom thereof with a forwardly projecting inclined strike-off blade, the lower edge of which is disposed in a plane adjacent to but above the plane of the bottom of the screed, a vibratory member disposed in front of and in spaced relation to the screed and adapted to support a substantial mass of material treated as the vibratory member is advanced, said vibratory member having vertical flutes or corrugations of substantial dimensions and providing a plurality of vibrating surfaces disposed an-gularly relative to each other, blade supporting springs for said vibratory member carried by said screed, means for vibrating said vibratory member at high frequency, and resilient thrust members disposed between said screed and said vibratory member whereby the vibratory member is advanced as the screed is advanced and said screed is also vibrated.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a screed, a vibratory member disposed in front of and in spaced relation to the screed and adapted to support a substantial mass of material treated as the vibratory member is advanced, said vibratory member having vertical utes or corrugations of substantial dimensions and providing a plurality of vibrating surfaces disposed angularly relative to each other, blade supporting springs for said vibratory member carried by said screed, means for vibrating said vibratory member at high frequency, and resilient thrust members disposed between said screed and said vibratory member whereby the vibratory member is advanced as the screed is advanced and said screed is also vibrated.

10. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a screed, a vibratory member disposed in front of and inspaced relation to the screed and adapted to support a substantial mass of material treated as the vibratory member is advanced, said vibratory member being rearwardly curved at its lower edge and having vertical flutes or corrugations of substantial dimensions and providing a plurality of vibrating surfaces disposed angularly relative to each other, blade supporting springs for said vibratory member carried by said screed, means for vibrating said vibratory member at high frequency, and resilient thrust members disposed between said screed and said vibratory member whereby the vibratory member is advanced as the screed is advanced and said screed is also vibrated.

11. In a, machine of the class described, the combination of a screed, a vertically disposed plate-like vibratory member disposed in front of and in spaced relation to the said screed, said vibratory member having a vertically fluted or corrugated portion adapted to support a substantial mass of material treated as the vibratory member is advanced, said fluted or corrugated portion having, a` rearwardly; curved bottom edge, said flutes being of substantial dimensionsy andi providing a plurality of vibrating; surfaces` dis: posedangularly relative to each other, means for mounting saidtvibratoryv memberv on said screed permitting, vibration thereof and,` means for vi,- brating said vibratory, member at ,high frequency, said mounting meansbeingadapted to, transmit vibrations from` said vibratory. member to, said screed.

12. In a machine` of the class. described, the combination of a, screed, a vertically disposed plate-like vibratory member disposed in front of. and in spaced relation to said.y screed, said vibratory member havinga, Verticallvuted or corrugated portion adapted, to supportv a substantialmass of material` treated asA the vibra, tory; member isy advanced, said flutes being of substantial dimensions and providing a plurality of, vibrating surfacesA disposed angularly relative to eachother, meansfor mounting said vibratory member onV said screed, permitting vibration `thereof, and means for, vibrating said vibratory l uted portion adaptedto support a substantial Y mass of material treated as the vibratory member is advanced againstv the material, said uted portion having` a rearwardlyL curved bottom edge, said flutes being of substantial dimensions and providing a plurality of vibrating surfaces disposed, angularly relative to each other, means for mounting said vibratory member'on saidcarriageftransversely of the. path of travel and permitting, vibration thereof, and means for vibrating said vibratory member at high frequency as.it is advanced.

14.. Inl a machine of the class described, the combination with a, carriage, of. a. horizontally disposed vibratory member having a vertically fluted, portion adapted to support a substantial massof material treated as the vibratory memberis advanced against the material, said flutes being of substantialdimensions and providing a plurality of vibrating surfaces vdisposed angularly relative to each other, means for mounting said vibratory member on said carriage transversely of the path of travel and permitting vibration thereof, andV means for vibrating saidk vibratory member at high frequency as it is advanced.

l5, In a machine of the class described, the combination of a screed, a vibratory member disposed in front of said screedfor advancement therewith and having a plurality of angularly associated surfaces adapted to support a substantialmass of material treated as the screed is advanced, means for resiliently supporting said vibratory member permiting vibratory movement thereof, means for imparting high frequency vibration to said vibratory member as itis advanced, and means interposed between said vibratory member and said screed whereby said screed is vibrated at substantially less amplitude than said vibratory member.

CORWILL JACKSON. 

